The Rural Business Incubator: Small Town Feel, Big Town Business

Business incubators are a popular tool used by economic developers to increase economic growth through growing and reinforcing start-up and young companies.  Not all business incubators are created equal and can offer a variety of services, such as shared office space, funding, expert services in financing, technical services and management, and other resources. The goals of theses incubators are to assist and create effective and economically successful businesses.

Rural incubators bring economic value to rural communities by coordinating regional efforts and serving as a centralized spaces for entrepreneurs to share ideas and build their businesses. A challenge for rural incubators over urban-centered incubators is the geographical distance from main cities and resources. A benefit from this challenge is the push for regional cooperation. The dispersed nature of rural communities forces incubators into a regional mindset to create successful businesses. Regional focus allows for cooperation and collaboration on shared goals and missions. The sense of community that rural areas embody translate over to the services and experience entrepreneurs and small companies receive through rural incubators.

West-Central Wisconsin has five main business incubators registered with the Wisconsin Business Incubation Association. The incubators have access to UW-System and Technical college resources along with nearby financial entities. Innovation, manufacturing, and technology are the three main areas of industry incubation in the west-central area. All of the incubators offer networks of experts in various fields and personal assistance with product development. For more information on area incubators visit your state or regional incubator: Center for Technology Commercialization, Stout Technology Institute Transfer, Chippewa Valley Innovation Center, and St. Croix Valley Incubator.